STEVE CLARKE believes Joe Cole still has major part to play at Liverpool despite rumours linking him with a move away from the club.

The assistant manager took charge of the Reds in Kenny Dalglish’s absence on Saturday night as they secured a 6-3 win over the Malaysian national team in Kuala Lumpur.

Clarke, who admits to being bowled over by their reception in the Far East, was happy with the challenge the hosts gave his players and says Liverpool’s pre-season preparations have so far gone to plan.

Cole started the match at the National Stadium and Clarke, who coached the forward when the pair were at Chelsea, is adamant the 29-year-old’s future remains at Anfield despite growing speculation this week that the arrival of Aston Villa’s Stewart Downing could see him transfered in the opposite direction.

Clarke wants Liverpool to kick-off the Premier League campaign, which begins on August 13 at home to Sunderland, in the same manner the club ushered in the return of Dalglish as manager and says creating competition for places is necessary.

And the number two believes Cole, who made 32 appearances in all competitions last season after joining as a free agent a year ago tomorrow, has the strength of character to force his way back into the first team reckoning.

“At the end of last season he was not getting in the team because the team were playing well,” said Clarke.

“But he trained great and obviously has gone away and had a good summer, worked hard and has come back really lively in training.

“He’s looked good in both matches we’ve played so far and Joe Cole is a top international player. “He’s got a big contribution to make in the future.

“He’s the same Joe Cole (I coached at Chelsea) just a couple of years older and a little bit wiser. He’s always had a fantastic attitude, works hard in training and comes in with a smile on his face because he wants to do well. That’s the position he’s in. It has been difficult for him because he’s not been involved but he keeps working hard and when he gets his chance it is up to him to take that chance.

“The better players are always positive, they see the bigger picture and understand what going on. Although they want to play every game they don’t have a divine right to do that they have to reach levels. And when they do that then they’ll get in the team, they understand that.”

On the hysteria which had greeted Liverpool in both China and Malaysia, Clarke added: “You always hear about the great support Liverpool have in the Far East, but to come and witness it in China and in Malaysia has been something special.

“It has been a bit surprising to be honest.

“You’d think all the top clubs, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal, would have an equal share out here but when Liverpool were top of the tree in the 70s and early 80s that is when television first came into Asia. Everyone wanted to follow the successful team and that was Liverpool and so that generation are all big Liverpool fans, their children are big Liverpool fans and we have got fantastic fan base out here.”

With Dalglish having jetted back to Merseyside to help tie up the deal for Downing late last week, Clarke oversaw Liverpool’s game against Malaysia.

“We had a little chat before he went and obviously we discuss the team selection all the time,” said Clarke of his chat with Dalglish earlier this week.

“We looked at the two teams who played in China and wanted to play a couple of different things and different combinations so before Kenny left I already knew what the two starting 11s would be. Obviously you don’t know if there are going to be injuries or things that would change it. We were delighted with workout tonight.”